ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Last week I interviewed Sudhvir Singh on my Planet FM radio show. Sudhvir is a medical doctor at Auckland Hospital, and director of Generation Zero – a youth-led organisation leading current thinking on climate change in New Zealand.
In other words, Sudhvir is an emerging leader and it’s great to see young people like him stepping up with intelligence and vision. They aren’t just pointing out the problems we have in New Zealand – they’re suggesting the innovative, long-term policy solutions that New Zealand needs.
It’s a new generation coming through, it’s setting a young person’s agenda for our cities and country, and it gives me hope for the future of Auckland and New Zealand.
Our topic for the radio interview was Auckland Issues. Half an hour is usually considered a generous amount of time for a radio interview, but when the microphones were turned off, we stayed and talked even longer.
We talked about Sir John Logan Campbell - a leader from Auckland’s history who had the foresight to set aside green space like One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park – now considered jewels in the crown of our city. How important it is to have long-term thinkers to take us forward.
We discussed the City Rail Link: an essential piece of infrastructure for the future of Auckland, which will allow our trains to have a regularity currently only dreamed of. Aucklanders are logical: when public transport is fast and regular, they use it.
We talked about the need for a strong network of cycleways throughout the city so people can have the confidence to ride their bikes safely to work and school, protected from other road traffic. There’s no down-side to cycling: it’s healthy, enjoyable and clean. I recently attended the opening of a new tract of cycleway in my electorate. It was designed beautifully and felt like a glimpse into the future of our city.
The Harbour Bridge Skypath: what an iconic design. People who live on the North Shore will surely love having the option of cycling and walking over the bridge into the city. In bad weather it will protect people from the elements and in good it will be one of the most stunning commutes in the world.
Auckland’s 10-year budget is currently in train. Generation Zero submitted its own budget, designed to focus funding only on essential projects to make Auckland more liveable. It was a smart, modern and thrifty plan. Now let’s see how closely local government is listening to our young people.
Last week I interviewed Sudhvir Singh on my Planet FM radio show. Sudhvir is a medical doctor at Auckland Hospital, and director of Generation Zero – a youth-led organisation leading current thinking on climate change in New Zealand.
In other words, Sudhvir is an emerging leader and it’s great to...
Last week I interviewed Sudhvir Singh on my Planet FM radio show. Sudhvir is a medical doctor at Auckland Hospital, and director of Generation Zero – a youth-led organisation leading current thinking on climate change in New Zealand.
In other words, Sudhvir is an emerging leader and it’s great to see young people like him stepping up with intelligence and vision. They aren’t just pointing out the problems we have in New Zealand – they’re suggesting the innovative, long-term policy solutions that New Zealand needs.
It’s a new generation coming through, it’s setting a young person’s agenda for our cities and country, and it gives me hope for the future of Auckland and New Zealand.
Our topic for the radio interview was Auckland Issues. Half an hour is usually considered a generous amount of time for a radio interview, but when the microphones were turned off, we stayed and talked even longer.
We talked about Sir John Logan Campbell - a leader from Auckland’s history who had the foresight to set aside green space like One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park – now considered jewels in the crown of our city. How important it is to have long-term thinkers to take us forward.
We discussed the City Rail Link: an essential piece of infrastructure for the future of Auckland, which will allow our trains to have a regularity currently only dreamed of. Aucklanders are logical: when public transport is fast and regular, they use it.
We talked about the need for a strong network of cycleways throughout the city so people can have the confidence to ride their bikes safely to work and school, protected from other road traffic. There’s no down-side to cycling: it’s healthy, enjoyable and clean. I recently attended the opening of a new tract of cycleway in my electorate. It was designed beautifully and felt like a glimpse into the future of our city.
The Harbour Bridge Skypath: what an iconic design. People who live on the North Shore will surely love having the option of cycling and walking over the bridge into the city. In bad weather it will protect people from the elements and in good it will be one of the most stunning commutes in the world.
Auckland’s 10-year budget is currently in train. Generation Zero submitted its own budget, designed to focus funding only on essential projects to make Auckland more liveable. It was a smart, modern and thrifty plan. Now let’s see how closely local government is listening to our young people.
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